KUCHING: The state is committed to developing its hydro energy potential in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, announced Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He instructed relevant agencies to explore power generation using cascading dams, a method successfully employed in countries like Norway and Canada.
“In collaboration with the consent of residents, we will commence these projects at Batang Rajang, Batang Ai, Sungai Murum, and Batang Baleh,” he stated in his Hari Raya message yesterday.
Furthermore, Sarawak will continue to investigate and exploit other low-carbon energy sources to meet regional demands. These include the production of green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) derived from algae or biofuels, as well as floating solar and biomass pellets sourced from our forests.
“Sarawak possesses the necessary resources and capabilities to address the energy challenges faced by neighbouring countries that lack green energy sources or the capacity to store or absorb carbon dioxide,” he emphasised.
“Therefore, the designations ‘Sarawak ASEAN Battery’ or ‘Sarawak Green Energy Hub’ are not mere rhetoric or dreams. We are fully prepared to offer services and resources to assist the region in achieving the ‘net-zero’ goal by 2050, aligning with global efforts to combat natural disasters,” he added.
Abang Johari highlighted that Sarawak has the potential to generate 20GW of hydropower, with the current capacity already at 5.4GW. This existing capacity has enabled Sarawak to provide competitively priced low-carbon energy to investors.
He revealed Sarawak’s future objective of exporting power to Brunei and Sabah and transmitting 1GW to Singapore by 2032 through a 700-km undersea cable, in addition to supplying 190MW to West Kalimantan.
Presently, Sarawak Energy (SEB) is implementing an energy supply policy that aims to achieve 10GW, or 10,000MW, by 2030 through hydro generation and gas turbines.
Leveraging its abundance of renewable resources, Sarawak aims to establish itself as “Asia’s Renewable Powerhouse,” a brand that will showcase its sustainability efforts in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“I firmly believe that this brand will position Sarawak as a regional and global hub for renewable energy sources, serving as an initiative centre for transitioning to carbon-free energy usage and carbon reduction.
“This aligns with the global commitment to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement of 2015,” he concluded.
